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  1. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    OK . . . I am not skilled at PIR switches. But maybe the head enclosure is too small. I tried a second PIR with the same results. (Just goes on and never goes off) So, either I don't know what I'm doing (it's happened :ROFLMAO: ), or it is just not the right technology. I may go with a...
  2. tpenfield

    2001 4.3 vortec oil is milky

    Welcome to iBoats . . . Why did you acquire this boat? Who are 'they'? Sounds like a freeze damaged engine, i.e. cracked engine block.
  3. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    I was wondering that too. The cabin voltage is pretty steady, but does go up and down over time as the batteries charge and get used. I ordered another PIR switch and we will see if it works. I've also found another type/brand that appears to be more robust, if I need to get yet another...
  4. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    . . . and the hits just keep on coming . . . I went to install some additional lighting in the enclosed head, since it has no natural light and only 1 measly dome light. I second dome light installed and wired up. I had a PIR switch that I was going to use to automatically turn the lights on...
  5. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    Not much further that the mileage can drop . . . . :ROFLMAO: There is a CY 328/338 owners (emotional support) group on FB. Some good ideas from the folks that own these boats. . . Lots of weight-saving ideas coming up lately. One of them being the 7 batteries (31M-AGM) @ 72 lbs. each...
  6. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    Quick update. . . I checked all the 12 volt feeds to the 12v electrical panel in the cabin, both helm and house feeds. They were all exactly the same. Now onto the helm station itself to see if there is a voltage drop there. :unsure: I'm also working through my list of 'improvements' that I...
  7. tpenfield

    Vintage Mercury Cooling Issue

    Another update . . . My efforts to descale the internal water jackets of the powerhead resulted in a fair amount of discharge of crud that was blocking the pee hole, and I believe causing the cooling problems. What has worked with the cooling system is a modified 'pee hole' as the original one...
  8. tpenfield

    Orangish layer on boat will not come off

    There is a product called "Iron Out" . . . not sure which acid it is, but it may be worth a try. You can find Iron Out at many hardware stores. EDIT: another thing you could try is 'descaler' (Barnacle Buster, etc) I believe it is phosphoric acid, it dissolves lime/calcium scale
  9. tpenfield

    Engine was Full of Clear Fluid when I drained oil

    Greetings . . . and welcome to iBoats. What did the clear liquid taste like? j/k :LOL: It sounds like your project just got bigger. You would probably not want to run a cracked engine block, as you never know if it will have a catastrophic failure (ka-boom). If you want, you could try to set...
  10. tpenfield

    Best Spark Plug

    AC/Delco are generally preferred on GM engines.
  11. tpenfield

    1992 Bayliner 4.3

    Welcome to iBoats . . . Remove the spark plugs, make note of any water that comes out of the cylinders. Try turning the engine with the starter and the spark plugs out.
  12. tpenfield

    Soft spot in floor. 1998 cobalt

    It would be best to contact Cobalt for some guidance on a repair. They should also be able to confirm the materials and construction of the boat. I know that Cobalt was a leader in converting to synthetic materials, but it would be good to know specifically. Post some pictures of the soft...
  13. tpenfield

    battery charger question....

    16 volts is a bit high. You don't want to go much over 14 volts to charge.
  14. tpenfield

    24v charging

    Google . . . "MGGi Waterproof DC/DC Converter 12V Step Up to 24V, Boost Converter 20A 480W"
  15. tpenfield

    and you thought your day was rough

    VesselView message. . . :D
  16. tpenfield

    New to me sailboat

    Day (or even weekend) launching can get old real fast. I did that with the Catalina 22 for one season, then got the mooring. The quickest sailboat set-up & ramp launch that I've seen was a family with a MacGregor 22. That had it figured out to a science and each person had a well thought out...
  17. tpenfield

    1979 Merc 7.5hp oil mix

    I got one too . . . 10 years earlier model than @Bondo 's, but I love that motor.
  18. tpenfield

    Storage on land

    Solar charge, maybe. Once you are in a slip, you should be able to use shore power to keep the batteries full. I had a similar issue with my new-ish boat (2016) as it has 7 batteries and continuous draw for various things. My boat lives on a mooring, so no access to power while the boat is at...
  19. tpenfield

    New to me sailboat

    Welcome to iBoats . . . I started my boat ownership with a Catalina 22 sailboat, moved on to powerboats, but also have an O'Day Mariner sailboat that I am restoring. As for your questions . . . #1 - Rigging: Google is your friend and can help you understand the rigging. Here is a link to...
  20. tpenfield

    Quicksilver 5W30 for all sterndrives

    If you are going off of the oil product advertisement literature as saying that the oil spec's for all engines have changed . . . Don't. Particularly if you are going with a lower viscosity oil than what the engine manufacturer originally recommended. Pass the popcorn please :LOL:
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